Background
Yan was born in Portland, Oregon to Russian parents.
Yan was born in Portland, Oregon to Russian parents.
He is currently playing for the Shawinigan Cataractes in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Yan was drafted in the third round, 64th overall, by the Tampa Bay Lightning at the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Playing Juniors
While he was still young, his family moved back to Russia where he began to play hockey.
Yan was then drafted by the Shawinigan Cataractes in the 1st round (8th overall) of the 2014 CHL Import Draft.
In his first season with the Cataractes he led all QMJHL rookies in goals scored with 33. Yan was recognized for his outstanding play when he was selected to take part in the 2015 CHL/National Hockey League Top Prospects Game.
Yan is rated as a top prospect who was projected as a possible first round selection in the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
At the age of 14, Yan returned to the United States to further his hockey skills, and he played the 2013-2014 season as a member of the United States of America Hockey National Team Development Program (United States NTDP).